USA’s World Cup dream is OVER: Belgium score four to dump woeful hosts out in Seattle shocker in front of star-studded crowd… despite Trump’s extraordinary intervention

Turns out Donald Trump was worried about the wrong striker. In an extraordinary intervention that marred the biggest match in US soccer history, the president had lobbied FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to allow the suspended Folarin Balogun to face Belgium.

We may never know how much impact this call had. But in the end there was little difference. Because although Balogun was controversially given permission to play, it was Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere who decided this World Cup showdown. The 25-year-old scored twice and helped score another as Belgium broke the hearts of the Americans in the round of 16 and dashed their hosts’ World Cup dreams.

De Ketelaere was given a huge helping hand by Mauricio Pochettino’s players, who put on a disastrous display after weeks of promise and brilliance. Balogun slotted into space before capitalizing on Romelu Lukaku’s late defensive error to seal a 4-1 lead. What a dreary end to a magical few weeks. Good luck turning this around, Mr. President.

Maybe there won’t be much sympathy elsewhere; Amidst all the chaos and confusion leading up to this game, there was also plenty of anger. Trump’s shoveling is anger. Outrage that FIFA allowed Balogun to play only with 24 hours notice. Anger that the lines between politics and sport are now more complicated than at any point in modern history.

But this was not the fault of Balogun or Pochettino’s other players. Who knows how affected they were by the turmoil of recent days? They certainly looked distracted and exhausted during those 90 minutes.

Infantino, who watched from luxury seats in Seattle along with names such as Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Markwayne Mullin, may not be able to escape this scandal. However, De Ketelaere ensured that this World Cup legend did not grow any bigger, at least for a while. Spain and Belgium will meet in the quarter finals.

Belgium’s third goal came after a humiliating mistake by US goalkeeper Matt Freese (24).

Folarin Balogun was named to the starting 11 after his one-match suspension was suspended by FIFA.

Donald Trump calls Gianni Infantino to ask about Balogun’s one-match ban

A quick timeline for those unfamiliar with the subject: Balogun, the USA’s leading scorer in the World Cup, received a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. This seemed like a harsh decision, but FIFA rules prevented an appeal. And on Sunday, FIFA suddenly announced that Balogun’s one-match ban had been suspended. It soon became apparent that Trump had broken in. Then all hell broke loose.

Belgium were furious but Balogun was allowed to play just hours before kick-off after FIFA rejected the appeal. Belgium threatened that legal action could be taken if the striker plays. He did it. However, the USA was powerless to prevent its collapse and defeat here.

In its place? After De Ketelaere scored twice either side of Malik Tillman’s free kick in the first half, U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese made a hilarious mistake to gift Belgium a third goal, and Chris Richards’ error allowed Lukaku to score a late fourth goal.

With that, nearly 70,000 fans in Seattle were silenced and millions of dreams were shattered. Christian Pulisic, who was sitting on the bench, was seen bursting into tears after leaving the game. Penny for the President’s thoughts.

There were still two hours until the game kicked off in Seattle, where thousands of US fans began a slow, deafening march towards Lumen Field. They brought flares, flags and drums. They held banners of John Denver and Folarin Balogun, and one of the banners had the striker’s picture and the title ‘Land of the Free’.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were among the star-studded crowd at Seattle Stadium

Mauricio Pochettino consoles devastated Chris Richards after defeat in Seattle

De Ketelaere celebrates after giving Belgium the lead in their round of 16 clash in Seattle

People lined the streets as the procession moved toward Western Avenue. Others gathered on balconies, bridges and on the roof of a parking lot. Among the large crowd, one of the important names of US football also stopped for a short chat. These were clear: Trump’s call to Infantino made no difference to FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s ban. They may be right. US Soccer led the fight; FIFA emphasized that the judicial bodies are ‘independent’ and ‘function autonomously’.

But by then the die had been cast, the waters were muddied and the World Cup had descended into chaos. Aides in the White House began to praise the president, and big names in the football world expressed their anger. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia compared the decision to an April Fool’s joke; Even Balogun’s father insisted in an interview with the Daily Mail that ‘politics should not interfere with sports’.

Much of this nonsense could have been avoided if FIFA rules had allowed the USMNT to appeal Balogun’s red card. Or did FIFA explain why the ban was postponed?

In its place? Confusion was great and Infantino was left in the stands, facing allegations of political interference and nepotism. But an incredible story, more important than one man and his ridiculous dominance of the sport, was tarnished. What did Pochettino and his players do to deserve this? They performed magnificently in the first four matches and captured the hearts of millions in this country.

Under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among the sold-out crowd on Monday night

US players gather on the pitch to hear from coach Pochettino after his sacking

They were now dragged into scandal through no fault of their own. Pochettino was desperate to prevent his team from being dragged into politics or the wider debate. He made it until Trump picked up the phone.

Somehow, when the two teams took the field on Monday night, less than 36 hours had passed since Balogun and Co had boarded the team bus for training, unaware that they had entered the eye of the storm.

The atmosphere inside Lumen Field had reached its boiling point. However, within 10 minutes, most of the noise and energy here was absorbed. Thank Belgium for that.

Freese was almost immediately forced into a save by Timothy Castagne. Then Youri Tielemans missed a magnificent chance. And then three USMNT players failed to deal with a ball returning in their own area, allowing Nicolas Raskin to collect the ball and put it on a plate for De Ketelaere. The defense was pathetic.

Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick brought the USA level, but Belgium scored moments later

US goalkeeper Freese reacted after making a fatal mistake in giving away Belgium’s third goal in Seattle

The crowd was stunned and Pochettino’s players were everywhere. It took the USA half an hour to create a chance. Inevitably, Balogun also did his part; He excited the crowd by making a foul in a dangerous area. A few minutes later Tillman’s free kick deflected past Thibaut Courtois.

The ball he scored against Bosnia-Herzegovina secured the USA’s place in the last 16. This gave Pochettino’s team the upper hand once again. Unfortunately, America were level for less than two minutes before Leandro Trossard crossed for De Ketelaere to score again.

Pochettino vented his frustration by kicking the water bottles next to the bench and the manager’s mood was not improved shortly before half-time when the ball fell to Balogun a few meters ahead, but the striker fired over the bar.

Balogun missed another opportunity late on. By then this game was gone. Poor Freese. The goalkeeper did well to initially get out to receive a long ball in front of De Ketelaere. But then he hesitated for half a second too long, allowing the Belgian striker to direct the ball to Hans Vanaken, who slotted the ball past Freese and Tim Ream from around 35 yards. Then Lukaku rubbed salt into the Americans’ wounds.